In anticipation of the launch of Apple’s Vision Pro this Friday, Zoom unveiled its upcoming visionOS app slated for release on February 2. The new app introduces features such as “persona” support, enabling users to utilize a digital avatar during calls, 3D object sharing, the chat feature “Team Chat,” and more.
Apple’s Persona feature captures a user’s face scan, enabling them to have a spatial representation in Vision Pro. Zoom’s dedicated app is compatible with Persona, allowing meeting participants to observe their facial and hand movements. Additionally, Zoom on Vision Pro will leverage the headset’s AR technology, presenting video calls as a floating window that seamlessly integrates with a user’s physical space.
“In their blog post, the company explains, ‘Zoom on Apple Vision Pro offers an immersive experience that can be tailored to the ideal size, perfect for users aiming to simulate the sensation of being in the same room as their colleagues and clients, all without requiring additional physical equipment or setup.”
“Thanks to the three-dimensional interface of visionOS apps, users can share 3D files in Zoom and witness objects come to life within their environment. The company uses game design as an example, envisioning designers collaborating and sharing the latest character model with teammates. While 3D object sharing won’t be available at launch, Zoom assures it will be rolled out later this spring.”
Also debuting in the app this spring is Team Chat and a feature dubbed “real-world pinning.” Team Chat serves as Zoom’s competitor to Slack, facilitating seamless information sharing among colleagues. The video conferencing platform initially introduced its chat feature in March 2023.
Furthermore, Vision Pro headset users can pin up to five Zoom meeting participants anywhere in their surroundings. They also have the option to eliminate the background of pinned participants, a feature aimed at fostering a stronger sense of connection among users.
Priced at $3,499, Vision Pro will boast nearly 200 dedicated apps, including streaming services such as Disney+, Max, Discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, Pluto TV, Tubi, Fubo, and Crunchyroll, among others. Notably, however, Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube are absent from the list, suggesting that some companies may have reservations about Vision Pro’s initial success.
